President U Thein Sein has nominated Deputy Minister for Information U Ye Htut as the new minister for information, in the wake of two ministerial resignations.
The nomination, sent to parliament today, follows the departure of U Aung Kyi, who resigned on July 29, according to state media. U Aung Kyi maintained a low profile since taking on the role in August 2012. He previously served as the minister for labour and, under the military regime, as a liaison with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. A military man carrying the rank of major general, U Aung Kyi took the seat of former information minister Kyaw Hsan in August 2012.

The nomination can only be rejected by parliament if U Ye Htut does not meet the criteria set in the 2008 constitution.

U Ye Htut has emerged as one of the most public faces of U Thein Sein’s administration. He has risen steadily through the Ministry of Information since being transferred from the military in 2005.

The voluntary resignation of union minister for health U Pe Thet Khin was also announced on July 30. U Pe Thet Khin had served as the minister for health since the formation of the Thein Sein government in 2011.